Pigeonholed as a sprinter by a number of observers, CANFORD CLIFFS (Tagula)
demolished his skeptics with an imperious display in Saturday’s Irish Two
Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. Trainer Richard Hannon, who had
described the colt last season as his all-time best two-year-old, was adamant
that he would stay the mile, and the public took that to heart by sending him
off as the 9-4 favorite. Canford Cliffs fully vindicated the veteran horseman,
producing an explosive change of gear inside the final furlong to win by three
impressive lengths.
Under confident handling by regular rider Richard Hughes, Canford Cliffs was
reserved off the solid early pace carved out by the Ballydoyle pacemaker
Encompassing (Montjeu [Ire]). While Oasis Dancer (Oasis Dream [GB]) took over,
soon to be superseded by Xtension (Xaar) about two furlongs from home, Canford
Cliffs continued to travel with consummate ease.
His rivals were doing their best, but he had yet to be asked in earnest, and
the proverbial handwriting was on the wall. Once Hughes drove him on, Canford
Cliffs surged clear and put the classic away within a few strides, completing
the course in 1:37 3/5 on the good-to-firm ground.
“Canford is possibly the best we’ve ever had and has shown it today,” the
trainer’s son and assistant Richard Hannon Jr. told PA Sport. “He relaxed a lot
more than usual and was able to finish his race.
“He did a piece of work last week that was his best since he won the Coventry
([Eng-G2] last June at Royal Ascot), and Hughesie was able to sit on him like he
was a jet-ski.”
“He was brilliant and he’s silenced a lot of the critics,” Hughes said. “If
Richard Hannon says he’ll stay a mile, after training for 40 years and being one
of the best trainers in England, then he’ll stay.”
Free Judgement (Vindication) stayed on from near the back of the pack for
second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of Viscount Nelson (Giant’s Causeway), who fared
best of the Aidan O’Brien sextet. Steinbeck (Footstepsinthesand [GB]), a
highly-regarded O’Brien pupil, finished fourth in his belated seasonal
reappearance. Xtension checked in fifth, followed by Keredari (Oasis Dream
[GB]), Sebastian Flyte (Observatory), Dynasty (Danehill Dancer), Noll Wallop
(High Chaparral [Ire]), Fencing Master (Oratorio [Ire]), Oasis Dancer, Purple
Heart (Sadler’s Wells) and Encompassing.
Owned by the Heffer Syndicate, Mrs. Roy and Mrs. Instance, Canford Cliffs
improved his record to 6-3-1-2 and doubled his bankroll to
£324,349. He created a huge impression when romping
by seven lengths in his career debut at Newbury one year ago, and followed up
with a remarkable victory in the aforementioned Coventry. Despite pulling hard
on the lead, he still steamrolled the field by six lengths. Canford Cliffs
suffered his first loss in the Prix Morny (Fr-G1) at Deauville, where he went
down by a half-length to Arcano (Oasis Dream [GB]) and future dual Guineas queen
Special Duty (Hennessy).
Canford Cliffs did not reappear until the April
17 Greenham S. (Eng-G3) at Newbury. Attempting to lead throughout in his first
try at seven furlongs, he drifted left late and was caught at the wire by
stablemate Dick Turpin (Arakan). Canford Cliffs stepped up to one mile in the
May 1 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket, and after being restrained off
the steady pace, he closed for third. Although his pride and joy had been beaten
by the unheralded French invader Makfi (Dubawi), and again by Dick Turpin,
Hannon was unflinching in his support for Canford Cliffs.
He will get the chance to turn the tables
on Makfi and Dick Turpin in the June 15 St James’s
Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Others likely to line up in
an outstanding renewal of the mile contest are Free
Judgement and Steinbeck from the Irish Guineas, as well as Siyouni (Pivotal), a
luckless ninth after suffering interference in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains
(French Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1).
Bred by S. and S. Hubbard Rodwell in Ireland, Canford Cliffs brought
€46,000 as a Goffs November weanling and
£50,000 as a Doncaster St. Leger yearling.
He is out of the unraced Marju mare Mrs. Marsh, who is a half-sister to stakes
scorer and Grade 2-placed Pina Colada (GB) (Sabrehill). Canford Cliffs’ third
dam is Grade 2 victress and Grade 1-placed Triple Tipple (Raise a Cup). A more
recent standardbearer for the family is Informed (Tiznow), winner of last year’s
Californian S. (G2) and San Diego H. (G2).